Agriculture is a big part of life in Stanislaus County, and the fruits of the recent harvest will take center stage next week in an event to support two ag-centered entities — Friends of the Stanislaus County Fair Foundation and the Agriculture Studies Department of California State University, Stanislaus.
The 12th annual Tastes of the Valley wine and cheese event will be held Oct. 2 and feature samplings from over 20 wineries and an assortment of craft brews, alongside food provided by Hilmar Cheese Company.
“The Tastes of the Valley is an event that continuously promotes ag education through our students in Stanislaus County. Our continued partnership with CSU Stanislaus Ag Studies Program has solidified a long term partnership in the continued growth and development of educating our community about agriculture and the Stanislaus County Fair,” said Stanislaus County Fair spokesperson Adrenna Alkhas.
In addition to wine, cheese, and hors d’oeuvres, guests can place their bids on a variety of items in silent and live auctions. All of the proceeds raised from the event will benefit the agricultural studies program at CSU Stanislaus and the Stanislaus County Friend of the Fair Foundation.
“CSU Stanislaus Agricultural Studies is proud to partner with the Stanislaus County Friends of the Fair Foundation,” said Dr. Oluwarotimi Odeh, professor and endowed chair at the CSU Stanislaus Agricultural Studies Department. “We see this continuing partnership as one that will not only solidify future funding for our Stanislaus agriculture students, but begin a long relationship that will support youth and agriculture activities at the Stanislaus County Fair. What a great opportunity to come together to benefit two important organizations that support Stanislaus County agriculture.”
The Agricultural Studies Department at CSU Stanislaus gives students an opportunity to explore a variety of approaches to agricultural production, distribution, and management in changing economic and environmental settings, through experiential learning and applied research opportunities. Throughout the program, students gain an understanding of basic economic principles governing agricultural issues.
Tickets for the event are $50 each and can be purchased online at stancofair.com or at the fairgrounds office. The event will take place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 2 at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds.
